Amarnath road widening & 10.8-km tunnel to reduce travel time

14 Apr 2023 CW Team

The 110 km long national highway between Khannabal and Chandwanwari will be widened into a four-lane road as part of a project announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari. Additionally, uphill tracks and a tunnel will be built to reach the Amarnath cave shrine hidden among the Himalayas.

When the project is finished, it is anticipated that it will reduce the distance between Srinagar and the Amarnath cave shrine's travel time to 7 to 8 hours. Currently, travelling the distance by Chandanwari's historic path takes three days. “I am happy to announce that government has given its consent to Rs 53 billion project for construction of 73-km long four lane road from Khannabal to Chandanwari at a cost of Rs 18 billion (including tracks and a 10.8 km long tunnel) to the Amarnath cave shrine,” said the union minister.

Gadkari added that the project will also include a 10.8-km tunnel from Sheshanag to Panchtarni and a 34 km two-lane track from Chandwari to Panchtarni to Baltal, both of which would be built at a cost of Rs 35 billion. He continued, “A 5.5-m wide concrete pedestrian track with barricades on either side will also be built for the 5-km distance from Panchtarni to the holy cave shrine.” It was also revealed that a 9-km long ropeway would be built at a cost of Rs 7.5 billion over the shorter path from Baltal to the cave temple. The project tenders will be released in November and December.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..